Pain and chronic pain have a couple of things in common. Both of them hurt, and all pain is caused by inflammation, whether it's chronic or just for the moment---like a stubbed toe. There are many different forms of chronic conditions that do not respond to conventional medicine: fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic back pain, migraines, neuropathy, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, psoriasis.....these are just a few of the many conditions that can be called "chronic." These conditions don't even respond to alternative medicine. Most people who suffer with chronic pain feel that there is no hope. But there is hope. The main difference between pain and chronic pain is this: pain heals. Chronic pain is caused by failure to heal.